Battery controlled device that can operate with alternative size batteries

ABSTRACT

A battery powered device comprising a housing having a battery compartment apparatus disposed therein, with the battery compartment apparatus being configured to accept at least one battery. The battery compartment apparatus comprises a battery carrier and a locking hold down mechanism. The carrier is slidably mounted in the housing. The locking hold down mechanism responds to insertion and withdrawal of the carrier into and out of the housing by locking the locking hold down mechanism against the battery, thereby preventing undesired displacement of the battery within the housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns battery powered devices, and moreparticularly relates to an improved battery hold down mechanism forbattery powered devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Battery powered devices can be any device that is powered by batteries.Examples of battery powered devices include toys, flashlights, powertools, medical instruments, camping equipment, tape recorders, personalcare instruments, battery powered toothbrushes or any other device thatis powered by batteries.

Heretofore, battery powered devices have been powered by a set number ofpopular alkaline cells of the generally cylindrical shape commerciallyavailable in industry-recognized, standard sizes, including D-, C-, AA-,AAA-, and AAAA-size cells. The set number can include one or more of thealkaline cells. Typically, the battery powered devices can only use oneconfiguration of batteries to power the device. For example, aflashlight is typically powered by either two or more AA- or AAA-sizecells. However, these battery powered devices will not work if adifferent size cell is placed therein. For example, if a flashlight isconfigured to accept AA-size cells therein to power the device, AAA-sizecells will not work to power the device.

Accordingly, an improved battery powered device that works with avariety of differently sized cells is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a battery powereddevice comprising a housing having a battery compartment apparatusdisposed therein, with the battery compartment apparatus beingconfigured to accept at least one battery. The battery compartmentapparatus comprises a battery carrier and a locking hold down mechanism.The battery carrier is slidably mounted in the housing. The locking holddown mechanism is configured to respond to insertion and withdrawal ofthe battery carrier into and out of the housing by locking the lockinghold down mechanism against the at least one battery, thereby preventingundesired displacement of the at least one battery within the housing.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a process forsecuring at least one battery in a housing of a battery device. Theprocess comprises providing a battery powered device comprising abattery compartment apparatus disposed therein, with the batterycompartment apparatus comprising a battery carrier and a locking holddown mechanism. The process also includes exposing a portion of thebattery carrier by sliding out a portion of the battery carrier from thehousing and inserting the at least one battery into the battery carrier.The process further includes sliding the battery carrier and the atleast one battery contained therein into the housing. The locking holddown mechanism contains the battery and prevents undesired displacementof the battery within the housing.

Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a batterypowered device comprising a housing having a battery compartmentapparatus disposed therein. The battery compartment apparatus has atleast one battery therein. The battery compartment apparatus comprises abattery carrier and a locking hold down mechanism. The battery carrieris slidably mounted in the housing. The locking hold down mechanismresponds to insertion and withdrawal of the battery carrier into and outof the housing by locking the locking hold down mechanism against the atleast one battery, thereby preventing undesired displacement of the atleast one battery within the housing.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the presentinvention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled inthe art by reference to the following specification, claims and appendeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the battery powered device of the presentinvention in a loading position.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the battery powered device ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2A is an exploded isometric view of a battery compartment apparatusof the battery powered device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a battery powered device of the presentinvention having a housing partially cut away, a bezel removed and afirst battery in an inserted position.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the battery powered device of the presentinvention having the housing partially cut away, the bezel removed and asecond battery in the inserted position.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the battery powered device of the presentinvention having the housing partially cut away, the bezel removed andthe first battery in the loading position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery carrier and a portion of aswitch assembly of the battery powered device of the present inventionand a side view of a locking hold down mechanism of the battery powereddevice of the present invention with the first batteries in the loadedposition.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the battery powered device of thepresent invention with the first batteries in the loaded position.

FIG.8 is a cross-sectional view of a battery carrier and a portion of aswitch assembly of the battery powered device of the present inventionand a side view of a locking hold down mechanism of the battery powereddevice of the present invention with the second batteries in the loadedposition.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the powered device of the presentinvention with the second batteries in the loaded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as orientated in FIG. 1. However,it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

The reference number 10 (FIGS. 1-5) generally designates a batterypowered device of the present invention. The battery powered device 10comprises a housing 12 having a battery compartment apparatus 14disposed therein, with the battery compartment apparatus 14 beingconfigured to accept at least one battery 16. The battery compartmentapparatus 14 comprises a battery carrier 18 and a locking hold downmechanism 20. The battery carrier 18 is slidably mounted in the housing12. The locking hold down mechanism 20 is configured to respond toinsertion and withdrawal of the battery carrier 18 into and out of thehousing 12 by locking the locking hold down mechanism 20 against the atleast one battery 16, thereby preventing undesired displacement of theat least one battery 16 within the housing 12.

The illustrated battery powered device 10 of the present invention isconfigured to alternatively have at least two different types ofbatteries 16 located therein for powering the battery powered device 10.For example, the battery powered device 10 can have batteries 16 of anumber of popular alkaline cells of the generally cylindrical shapecommercially available in industry-recognized, standard sizes, includingD-, C-, AA-, AAA-, and AAAA-size cells. In the illustrated embodiment,the battery powered device 10 is configured to have AAA-sized batteries16 a (FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 8 and 9) and AA-sized batteries 16 b (FIGS. 4, 6and 7) therein. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment, theAAA-sized batteries 16 a are of a first size, are tubularly shaped, havea first length and have a first diameter. Likewise, the AA-sizedbatteries 16 b are of a second size, are tubularly shaped, have a secondlength and have a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller thanthe second diameter. The first sized batteries are used in a firstcircuit and the second sized batteries are used in a second circuit inthe battery powered device 10 to power the battery powered device 10.

The battery powered device 10 of the present invention can be any devicethat is powered by batteries. For example, the battery powered device 10can be a toy, a flashlight (as illustrated herein), a power tool, amedical instrument, camping equipment, a tape recorder, a personal careinstrument, a battery powered toothbrush or any other device that ispowered by batteries.

In the illustrated example, the battery powered device 10 is aflashlight comprising the housing 12 having the battery compartmentapparatus 14 slidably accepted therein. The battery powered device 10also includes a lamp enclosure 22 and a switch assembly 24 (see FIG. 2).After the batteries 16 are inserted into the battery compartmentapparatus 14 and the battery compartment apparatus 14 is fully insertedinto housing 12, the switch assembly 24 is activated to power a lamp 26using the power of the batteries 16 through either the first circuit orthe second circuit. Furthermore, the locking hold down mechanism 20 isconfigured to respond to insertion and withdrawal of the battery carrier18 into and out of the housing 12 by locking the locking hold downmechanism 20 against the at least one battery 16, thereby preventingundesired displacement of the at least one battery 16 within the housing12.

The illustrated housing 12 (FIGS. 1-2) comprises a first housing shell28, a second housing shell 30 and a top cover 32. The first housingshell 28 and the second housing shell 30 are substantially mirror imagesof each other and are configured to fit together to form a substantiallycylindrical interior surface 34 and exterior surface 36 of the housing12, except for a top opening 38 (see FIG. 3). The top cover 32 fitssecurely into the top opening 38 when the first housing shell 28 and thesecond housing shell 30 are connected together. Furthermore, the topcover 32 includes a slot 64 accepting a slide tab 66 therethrough. Theslide tab 66 allows a user to the battery powered device 10 to turn thebattery powered device 10 on and off by closing either the first circuit(with the second circuit open), by closing the second circuit (with thefirst circuit open) or by opening both circuits (i.e., powered off). Thefirst housing shell 28 and the second housing shell 30 each include afoot 62 (see FIG. 1) for allowing the housing 12 to rest on a surfacewithout rolling. Although a three-piece cylindrical housing is describedherein, it is contemplated that the housing 12 could have anycross-sectional shape and could be formed of any number of parts(including one integral piece).

In the illustrated example, the housing 12 has the switch assembly 24and the battery compartment apparatus 14 at least partially locatedtherein. The interior surface 34 of the housing 12 includes a tubulargroove 40 for accepting the switch assembly 24 in the housing 12 tofirmly secure the switch assembly 24 therein. The interior surface 34also includes a first set of parallel channels 42 for allowing a portionof the switch assembly 24 to slide therein and a second set of parallelchannels 44 for allowing the battery carrier 18 of the batterycompartment apparatus 14 to slide therein as discussed in more detailbelow. Furthermore, the interior surface 34 includes a pair of co-linearpivot openings 68 configured to accept a portion of the locking holddown mechanism 20 therein. The exterior surface 36 of the housing 12includes a first end outside thread 46 and a second end outside thread48.

The illustrated lamp enclosure 22 is screwed onto the first end outsidethread 46 of the housing 12 to connect the lamp enclosure 22 to thehousing 12. The illustrated lamp enclosure 22 includes a bezel 50encircling a concave reflective member 52 and a disk-shaped transparentor translucent cover 54. The bezel 50 includes a first member 58 and asecond member 60 clamping the concave reflective member 52 and the cover54 therebetween. The concave reflective member 52 and the cover 54 ofthe lamp enclosure 22 are similar to the reflective members and coversor lenses of flashlights found in the prior art. As seen in FIG. 3, theconcave reflective member 52 includes a central opening 56 for receptionof the lamp 26 connected to the switch assembly 24 therein.

In the illustrated example, the switch assembly 24 has the lamp 26connected thereto and is used to selectively operate the lamp 26. Theswitch assembly 24 comprises a substantially circular plate 70 locatedin the tubular groove 40 in the interior surface 34 of the housing 12. Acircular lamp receptacle (not shown) extends forwardly from thesubstantially circular plate 70 and accepts the lamp 26 therein. Thecircular plate 70 includes a printed circuit board slot 72 and anadjacent switch housing 74 in an upper portion of the circular plate 70.The printed circuit board slot 72 and the adjacent switch housing 74 areconfigured to receive a printed circuit board 76 and a slide switch 78,respectively, therein. The printed circuit board 76 includes electricalconnections for powering the lamp 26.

The illustrated slide switch 78 includes a slide member 100 forselecting one of several different operating (or off) states of thebattery powered device 10 (i.e., selectively opening and closing thecircuits of the battery powered device 10). For example, the slidemember 100 can be moved to a first position to close the first circuitfor powering the battery powered device 10 when AAA batteries 16 a arein the housing 12, a second position to close the second circuit forpowering the battery powered device when AA batteries 16 b are in thehousing 12, and an off position. The slide member 100 is connected tothe slide tab 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the slide tab 66 isconnected to the slide member 100 via a switch connection 102. However,it is contemplated that the slide member 100 could be directly connectedto the slide tab 66 or the slide member 100 and the slide tab 66 couldbe a single integral member.

A rear face 82 (FIG. 2) of the illustrated substantially circular plate70 includes an upper post 84 having an upper spring 86 surrounding andconnected thereto and a middle post 88 having a middle spring 90surrounding and connected thereto. The upper post 84 and associatedupper spring 86 and the middle post 88 and associated middle spring 90are preferably vertically aligned. The rear face 82 of the substantiallycircular plate 70 also includes a lower first side post 92 having afirst side spring 94 surrounding and connected thereto and a lowersecond side post 96 having a second side spring 98 surrounding andconnected thereto. The lower first side post 92 and associated firstside spring 94 and the lower second side post 96 and associated secondside spring 98 are preferably horizontally aligned. The springs 90 and98 are used to complete the first circuit to power the battery powereddevice 10 and the springs 86 and 94 are used to complete the secondcircuit to power the battery powered device 10.

In the illustrated example, the switch assembly 24 further includes afront contact member 104 connected to the upper spring 86 and middlespring 90. The front contact member 104 is configured to engage a frontof the batteries 16 to close the first and second circuits in thebattery powered device 10 (see FIGS. 6 and 8).

The illustrated front contact member 104 includes a lower cylinder 106,an upper cylinder 108, a top covering flange 110 and a pair of sideflanges 111. The lower cylinder 106 includes a front middle springopening 112 for accepting the middle spring 90 therein. The middlespring 90 is connected to the lower cylinder 106 in the front middlespring opening 112. A wire 114 leads from a lower rear contact 116centrally located in the rear of the lower cylinder 106 to the middlespring 90. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the AAA-sized batteries 16 a areconfigured to contact the lower rear contact 116 to form the firstcircuit when the battery compartment apparatus 14 is within the housing12.

In the illustrated example, the upper cylinder 108 is located on top ofthe lower cylinder 106. The upper cylinder 108 includes a front upperspring opening 118 for accepting the upper spring 86 therein. The upperspring 86 is connected to the upper cylinder 108 in the front upperspring opening 118. A wire 120 leads from an upper rear contact 122centrally located in the rear of the upper cylinder 108 to the upperspring 86. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the AA-sized batteries 16 b areconfigured to contact the upper rear contact 122 to form the secondcircuit when the battery compartment apparatus 14 is within the housing12.

The illustrated top covering flange 110 covers a front portion of theAA-sized batteries 16 b to maintain the AA-sized batteries 16 b inposition within the housing 12 (see FIG. 6). Likewise, the lowercylinder 106 is recessed within a bottom portion of the upper cylinder108 as illustrated in FIG. 8 to maintain the AAA-sized batteries 16 a inposition within the housing 12. The side flanges 111 extend into thesecond set of parallel channels 42 on the interior surface 34 of thehousing 12 to allow the front contact member 104 to slide along thesecond set of parallel channels 42 within the housing 12. As describedin more detail below, when the battery compartment apparatus 14 is slidinto the housing 12, the batteries 16 push against the front contactmember 104 and against the bias of the upper spring 86 and the middlespring 90 to help close the first circuit or the second circuit.

In the illustrated example, the batteries 16 are placed on the batterycarrier 18 of the battery compartment apparatus 14 (FIG. 2A) andinserted into the housing 12 to power the battery powered device 10. Thebattery carrier 18 includes a trough shaped tray 124, a rear contactmember 126, a first circuit contact strip 128, a second circuit contactstrip 130, and an end cap 132. The trough shaped tray 124 includes aninner surface 134, an outer surface 136, a first end 135 and a secondend 137. The outer surface 136 has a pair of opposite flanges 138configured to slide within the second set of parallel channels 44 on theinterior surface 34 of the housing 12 to allow the battery carrier 18 toslide within the housing 12. The outer surface 136 also includes a pairof vertical stops 140 configured to abut against a mating ledge 142 (seeFIG. 2) in the interior surface 34 of the housing 12 to prevent thebattery carrier 18 from sliding entirely out of the housing 12.Therefore, after withdrawal of a portion of the battery carrier 18 fromthe housing 12, the first end 135 remains inside the housing 12 and thesecond end 137 extends beyond the housing 12. The end cap 132 isrotatably connected to the second end 137 of the trough shaped tray 124by a pin 141. The pin 141 allows the end cap 132 to freely rotate. Theend cap 132 includes an inner threaded surface configured to be screwedonto the second end outside thread 48 of the housing 12 to maintain thebattery carrier 18 within the housing 12 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

The illustrated trough shaped tray 124 is configured to accept thebatteries 16 on the inner surface 134 thereof. The inner surface 134includes an arcuate bottom portion 144 configured to accept thebatteries 16 a thereon (see FIG. 7). The inner surface 134 also includesopposite ledges 146 for accepting the batteries 16 b thereon (see FIG.8). The opposite ledges 146 are also arcuate and prevent the batteries16 b from dropping to the arcuate bottom portion 144.

In the illustrated example, the trough shaped tray 124 includes the rearcontact member 126 for contacting a rear of the batteries 16 on thebattery carrier 18. The rear contact member 126 includes a lower contact152 configured to abut a rear of the batteries 16 a as illustrated inFIG. 8. The lower contact 152 is engaged with a first wire (not shown)extending through the rear contact member 126. The first wire is engagedwith the first circuit contact strip 128, which extends along a bottomof the trough shaped tray 124. When the batteries 16 a are inserted intothe battery carrier 18 and the battery carrier 18 is inserted into thehousing 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a front of the batteriespresses against the front contact member 104, the first circuit contactstrip 128 presses against the first side spring 94 and the secondcircuit contact strip 130 presses against the second side spring 98.Therefore, the first circuit is substantially closed and the batterypowered device 10 only waits for the slide tab 66 to be slid to closethe first circuit and thereby power the lamp 26. The first circuitcomprises the middle spring 90 connected to the slide switch 78 and theprinted circuit board 76 through the circular plate 70, the wire 114 inlower cylinder 106 of the front contact member 104, the lower rearcontact 116 of the front contact member 104, the batteries 16 a, thelower contact 152, the first wire, the first circuit contact strip 128,the second side spring 98, and the lamp 26. Therefore, when the slideswitch 78 is moved to close the first circuit (via the slide tab 66 andthe switch connection 102), the batteries 16 a will power the lamp 26 ofthe battery powered device 10.

The illustrated rear contact member 126 also includes an upper contact154 configured to abut a rear of the batteries 16 b as illustrated inFIG. 6. The upper contact 154 is engaged with a second wire (not shown)extending through the rear contact member 126. The second wire isengaged with the second circuit contact strip 130, which extends along abottom of the trough shaped tray 124. When the batteries 16 b areinserted into the battery carrier 18 and the battery carrier 18 isinserted into the housing 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a front ofthe batteries presses against the front contact member 104, the firstcircuit contact strip 128 presses against the first side spring 94 andthe second circuit contact strip 130 presses against the second sidespring 98. Therefore, the second circuit is substantially closed and thebattery powered device 10 only waits for the slide tab 66 to be slid toclose the second circuit and thereby power the lamp 26. The secondcircuit comprises the upper spring 86 connected to the slide switch 78and the printed circuit board 76 through the circular plate 70, the wire120 in the upper cylinder 108 of the front contact member 104, the upperrear contact 122 of the front contact member 104, the batteries 16 b,the upper contact 154, the second wire, the second circuit contact strip130, the first side spring 94, and the lamp 26. Therefore, when theslide switch 78 is moved to close the second circuit (via the slide tab66 and the switch connection 102), the batteries 16 b will power thelamp 26 of the battery powered device 10.

In the illustrated example, the locking hold down mechanism 20 isconfigured to respond to insertion and withdrawal of the battery carrier18 into and out of the housing 12 by locking the locking hold downmechanism 20 against the at least one battery 16, thereby preventingundesired displacement of the at least one battery 16 within the housing12. The locking hold down mechanism 20 comprises a support frame 160 anda retaining member 162 secured to the support frame 160 configured tocontact and secure the battery 16 within the battery carrier 18. Thesupport frame 160 comprises a base 163 and a pair of arms 164 extendingfrom the base 163. The base 163 includes a pair of co-linear posts 166configured to be inserted into the pivot openings 68 in the housing 12to allow the support frame 160 to pivot about an axis defined by thepivot openings 68. A spring 200 surrounds at least one of the posts 166and biases the support frame 160 to press an end of the arms 164downward. The arms 164 extend forwardly from the base 163 and includeprotrusions 170 that extend outwardly therefrom. The protrusions 170 areconfigured to abut the battery carrier 18 as explained in more detailbelow. The arms 164 each have an opening 172 therein. The retainingmember 162 includes an arcuate member 174 and a pair of side pivot pins176. The side pivot pins 176 extend through the openings 172 in the arms164 of the support frame 160 to pivotally connect the retaining member162 to the support frame 160. The spring 200 forces the support frame160 to rotate, and thereby forces the retaining member 162 downward intocontact with the batteries 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8. Thesupport frame 160 includes a first end that contacts the battery carrier18 and a second end that pivots about the axis secured within thehousing 12.

The illustrated trough shaped tray 124 of the battery carrier 18includes a pair of inner tracks 300 and a pair of outer tracks 302 foraccepting portions of the hold down mechanism 20 thereon to secure thebatteries 16 within the housing 12. The pair of inner tracks 300comprises a first pair of front upper surfaces 304, a first pair ofmatching inclined surfaces 306 and a first pair of lower surfaces 308.The pair of outer tracks 302 comprises a second pair of front uppersurfaces 310, a second pair of matching inclined surfaces 312 and asecond pair of lower surfaces 314. The first pair of matching inclinedsurfaces 306 are closer to the first end 135 of the trough shaped tray124 and the second pair of matching inclined surfaces 312 are closer tothe second end 137 of the trough shaped tray 124. The second pair ofmatching inclined surfaces 312 terminates at an end wall 320 with anoverhang 322 extending therefrom. The second pair of matching inclinedsurfaces 312, the end walls 320 and the overhangs 322 cooperate todefine closed end slots 324.

In the illustrated example, a front portion of the arms 164 ride on thepair of inner tracks 300 and the protrusions 170 extending from the arms164 ride on the pair of outer tracks 302 as the battery carrier 18 isslid into the housing 12. When AA-size batteries 16 b are placed on thetrough shaped tray 124 of the battery carrier 18 and the battery carrier18 is inserted into the housing 12, the protrusions 170 will first slidealong the first pair of front upper surfaces 304 of the pair of innertracks 300 and the second pair of front upper surfaces 310 of the outertracks 302. As the battery carrier 18 is fully inserted into the housing12 as illustrated in FIG. 6, the top of the batteries 16 b will preventthe front portion of the arms 164 and the protrusions 170 from slidingdown the first pair of matching inclined surfaces 306 and the secondpair of matching inclined surfaces 312, respectively. Furthermore, thespring 200 will bias the retaining member 162 downward as discussedabove to hold the batteries 16 b down and on the trough shaped tray 124of the battery carrier.

When AAA-size batteries 16 a are placed on the trough shaped tray 124 ofthe battery carrier 18 and the battery carrier 18 is inserted into thehousing 12, the protrusions 170 will once again slide first along thefirst pair of front upper surfaces 304 of the pair of inner tracks 300and the second pair of front upper surfaces 310 of the outer tracks 302.However, as the battery carrier 18 is fully inserted into the housing 12as illustrated in FIG. 8, the arms 164 will slide downwardly on thefirst pair of matching inclined surfaces 306 and the protrusions 170will slide downwardly on the second pair of matching inclined surfaces312. Furthermore, the spring 200 will bias the retaining member 162downward as discussed above to hold the batteries 16 a down and on thetrough shaped tray 124 of the battery carrier. When the battery carrier18 is fully inserted into the housing 12, the protrusions 170 will slideinto the closed end slots 324 and be captured under the overhangs 322.

Therefore, the battery powered device 10 of the present invention isconfigured to be powered by alternatively using two separate sets ofbatteries 16. The first and second batteries are different sizes andcannot be simultaneously contained within the housing 12. While AA-sizeand AAA-size batteries have been described as being used in the batterypowered device 10, it is contemplated that any two size batteries couldbe used in the battery powered device 10. Furthermore, it iscontemplated that the battery powered device could be configured toaccept three or more sizes of batteries therein (e.g., by having threeor more tracks on the trough shaped tray and corresponding additionalprojections on the locking hold down mechanism). The battery powereddevice 10 allows for greater flexibility in choosing batteries 16 to usein the battery powered device 10 and allows for use of the batterypowered device 10 with whatever batteries 16 are currently on hand andaccessible.

Moreover, the foregoing detailed description is considered that of apreferred embodiment only, and the particular shape and nature of atleast some of the components in this embodiment are at least partiallybased on manufacturing advantages and considerations as well as on thosepertaining to assembly and operation. Modifications of this embodimentmay well occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or usethe invention after learning the nature of this preferred embodiment,and the invention lends itself advantageously to such modification andalternative embodiments. Therefore, it is to be understood that theembodiment shown in the drawings and described above is providedprincipally for illustrative purposes and should not be used to limitthe scope of the invention.

1. A battery powered device comprising: a housing having a batterycompartment apparatus disposed therein, the battery compartmentapparatus configured to accept at least one battery; the batterycompartment apparatus comprising a battery carrier and a locking holddown mechanism; the battery carrier being slidably mounted in thehousing; and the locking hold down mechanism configured to respond toinsertion and withdrawal of the battery carrier into and out of thehousing by locking the locking hold down mechanism against the at leastone battery, thereby preventing undesired displacement of the at leastone battery within the housing.
 2. The battery powered device of claim1, wherein: the housing is configured to alternatively receive a firstsize battery and a second size battery; and the first and secondbatteries are different sizes and cannot be simultaneously containedwithin the housing.
 3. The battery powered device of claim 2, wherein:the first size battery is tubularly shaped and has a first length and afirst diameter and the second size battery is tubularly shaped and has asecond length and a second diameter; and the first diameter is smallerthan the second diameter.
 4. The battery powered device of claim 1,wherein: the locking hold down mechanism comprises a support frame and aretaining member secured to the support frame configured to contact andsecure the battery within the battery carrier.
 5. The battery powereddevice of claim 4, wherein: the support frame has a first end and asecond end; and the first end contacts the battery carrier and thesecond end pivots about an axis secured within the housing.
 6. Thebattery powered device of claim 5, wherein: the battery carriercomprises a trough shaped tray having an inner surface, an outersurface, a first end and a second end; and after withdrawal of thebattery carrier from the housing, the first end remains inside thehousing and the second end extends beyond the housing.
 7. The batterypowered device of claim 6, wherein: the trough shaped tray comprises afirst pair of matching inclined surfaces and a second pair of matchinginclined surfaces; and the first pair of matching inclined surfaces arecloser to the first end of the trough shaped tray and the second pair ofmatching inclined surfaces are closer to the second end of the troughshaped tray.
 8. The battery powered device of claim 7, wherein: thesecond pair of matching inclined surfaces terminate at an end wall withan overhang extending therefrom; and the second pair of matchinginclined surfaces, end walls and overhangs cooperate to define closedend slots.
 9. The battery powered device of claim 8, wherein: thesupport frame comprises a pair of protrusions that contact the secondpair of matching inclined surfaces.
 10. The battery powered device ofclaim 9, wherein: the pair of protrusions engage the closed end slots inthe support frame.
 11. The battery powered device of claim 6, wherein:the support frame comprises a pair of arms having distal ends thatcontact the first pair of matching inclined surfaces.
 12. A process forsecuring at least one battery in a housing of a battery powered device,the process comprising: providing a battery powered device comprising abattery compartment apparatus disposed therein, the battery compartmentapparatus comprising a battery carrier and a locking hold downmechanism; exposing a portion of the battery carrier by sliding out aportion of the battery carrier from the housing; inserting the at leastone battery into the battery carrier; and sliding the battery carrierand the at least one battery contained therein into the housing; whereinthe locking hold down mechanism contains the battery and preventsundesired displacement of the battery within the housing.
 13. Theprocess of claim 12, wherein: inserting the at least one battery intothe battery carrier comprises alternatively inserting a first sizebattery and a second size battery into the battery carrier; and thefirst and second batteries are different sizes and cannot besimultaneously inserted into the housing.
 14. The process of claim 13,wherein: the first size battery is tubularly shaped and has a firstlength and a first diameter and the size second battery is tubularlyshaped and has a second length and a second diameter; and the firstdiameter is smaller than the second diameter.
 15. The process of claim12, wherein: the locking hold down mechanism comprises a support frameand a retaining member secured to the support frame; and furtherincluding contacting and securing the at least one battery within thebattery carrier with the retaining member.
 16. The process of claim 15,further including: providing the support frame with a first end and asecond end; contacting the battery carrier with the first end; andpivoting the second end about an axis secured within the housing. 17.The process of claim 16, wherein: the carrier comprises a trough shapedtray having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a secondend; and further including withdrawing the battery carrier from thehousing, with the first end remaining inside the housing and the secondend extending beyond the housing.
 18. The process of claim 17, wherein:the trough shaped tray comprises a first pair of matching inclinedsurfaces and a second pair of matching inclined surfaces; and furtherincluding positioning the first pair of matching inclined surfacescloser to the first end of the trough shaped tray and the second pair ofmatching inclined surfaces closer to the second end of the trough shapedtray.
 19. The process of claim 18, further including: terminating thesecond pair of matching inclined surfaces at an end wall with anoverhang extending therefrom; and defining closed end slots with thesecond pair of matching inclined surfaces, the end walls and theoverhangs.
 20. The process of claim 19, wherein: the support framecomprises a pair of protrusions; and further including contacting thepair of protrusions with the second pair of matching inclined surfaces.21. The process of claim 20, further including: engaging the pair ofprotrusions with the closed end slots in the support frame.
 22. Theprocess of claim 17, wherein: the support frame comprises a pair of armshaving distal ends; and further including contacting the distal endswith the first pair of matching inclined surfaces.
 23. A battery powereddevice comprising: a housing having a battery compartment apparatusdisposed therein, the battery compartment apparatus having at least onebattery therein; the battery compartment apparatus comprising a batterycarrier and a locking hold down mechanism; the battery carrier beingslidably mounted in the housing; and the locking hold down mechanismresponding to insertion and withdrawal of the battery carrier into andout of the housing by locking the locking hold down mechanism againstthe at least one battery, thereby preventing undesired displacement ofthe at least one battery within the housing.
 24. The battery powereddevice of claim 23, wherein: the at least one battery comprises a firstsize battery and a second size battery; the housing is configured toalternatively receive the first size battery and the second sizebattery; and the first and second batteries are different sizes andcannot be simultaneously contained within the housing.
 25. The batterypowered device of claim 23, wherein: the first size battery is tubularlyshaped and has a first length and a first diameter and the second sizebattery is tubularly shaped and has a second length and a seconddiameter; and the first diameter is smaller than the second diameter.26. The battery powered device of claim 23, wherein: the locking holddown mechanism comprises a support frame and a retaining member securedto the support frame that contacts and secures the battery within thebattery carrier.
 27. The battery powered device of claim 26, wherein:the support frame has a first end and a second end; and the first endcontacts the battery carrier and the second end pivots about an axissecured within the housing.
 28. The battery powered device of claim 27,wherein: the battery carrier comprises a trough shaped tray having aninner surface, an outer surface, a first end and a second end; and afterwithdrawal of the battery carrier from the housing, the first endremains inside the housing and the second end extends beyond thehousing.
 29. The battery powered device of claim 28, wherein: the troughshaped tray comprises a first pair of matching inclined surfaces and asecond pair of matching inclined surfaces; and the first pair ofmatching inclined surfaces are closer to the first end of the troughshaped tray and the second pair of matching inclined surfaces are closerto the second end of the trough shaped tray.
 30. The battery powereddevice of claim 29, wherein: the second pair of matching inclinedsurfaces terminate at an end wall with an overhang extending therefrom;and the second pair of matching inclined surfaces, the end walls and theoverhangs cooperate to define closed end slots.
 31. The battery powereddevice of claim 30, wherein: the support frame comprises a pair ofprotrusions that contact the second pair of matching inclined surfaces.32. The battery powered device of claim 31, wherein: the pair ofprotrusions engage the closed end slots in the support frame.
 33. Thebattery powered device of claim 28, wherein: the support frame comprisesa pair of arms having distal ends that contact the first pair ofmatching inclined surfaces.